Chess Puzzle #nh41c — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks e1/f1; pawns b2/c2/g5/h2. Black: king d7; queen c4; rook h8; bishop c5; knight h5; pawns a6/b5/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook h8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf7+ — rook f1→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Re7 (rook e8→e7).
3. Best move: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Opponent replies Ba3+ (bishop c5→a3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb1 — king c1→b1.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Rf7+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/3k2pp/p7/1pbp2Pn/2q5/8/1PPQ3P/2K1RR2 b - - 1 23

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.